Electric signaling, supervising, and recording system



J1me 1940- J. R. HARRINGTON 2,202,353

ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 1936s Sheets-Sheet i June 4, 1940. R HARRlNGTON 2,202,853

ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 19368 Sheets-Sheet 2 J1me 1940. J. R. HARRINGTON 2,202,353

ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 19358 Sheets-Sheet 3 z Pm: I 53 Mit- June 4, 1940. J. R. HARRINGTON ELECTRICSIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. a; 1936 8Sheets-Sheet 4 Indian for @0265 {2% 42mm, gain,

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ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 19368 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 4, 1940. J. R. HARRINGTON 2,202,853

ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 19368 Sheets-Sheet 6 Jamwfifiarmhgfm. Zia fim, g KQM June 4, 1940- J. R.HARRINGTON ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM FiledFeb. 8, 1936 8 Sheqts-Sheet 7 jwmz m (76177263 f1? fi czfrin gion IM,mm, W

J1me 1940- J. R. HARRINGTON 2,202,853

ELECTRIC SIGNALING, SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Feb. s, 1936a Shets-Sheet a U ZZZQS.

Patented June 4, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SIGNALING,SUPERVISING, AND RECORDING SYSTEM Application February 8, 1936, SerialNo. 62,913

Claims.

The present invention relates to electric signaling, supervising andrecording systems of the type characterized by a plurality of controlboxes or transmitters interposed at different points in a -a connectingcircuit and so arranged that when an alarm or like condition arises ator in the vicinity of one of these boxes, or when a change occurs in thecondition of certain apparatus being supervised by the system, or whenone of the boxes is manually energized, the system will function to givea signaling or supervisory indicationthrough the energization ofnotification means. This notification means preferably comprises: (1)audible signaling means, such as signaling bells or the like, whichaudibly designate the particular box which has been energized in thesystem and the condition existing at that box; and (2) a recorder whichmakes a permanent record designating the particular box and thecondition which gave rise to the energization of that box. Thisnotification means may include visual indicating means in the form of aflashing light, and/or a series of numeral or character wheels which aregiven a set-up to designate visually the particular box then operatingand the condition which gave rise to the energization of that box.

The present invention embodies improvements on the Electrical signalsystem disclosed in my 39,-. prior Patent N0. 1,950,108, granted March6, 1934.

The present invention is also a continuation, in part, of my priorPatent 2,164,324, issued July 4, 1939, on Electric signaling,supervising, and recording systems.

Apparatus of the present type has application to sprinkler alarmsystems, supervisory systems, fire alarm systems, burglar alarm systems,watchmens call systems, and other analogous systems where it is desiredthat a certain condition or operation occurring at any one or morepoints along a circuit shall give an alarm or signal indication, orshall exercise a supervisory or regulating indication or control inconnection with apparatus associated with the signal system. The systemforming the subject matter of the present application embodies certainimprovements which are particularly adapted to the fire preventionapparatus of a building or buildings, including means for indicatingwhen any branch or sprinkler head of a sprinkler system is operating;for indicating when the air pressure on a pressure fed water supplysystem is high or low, or when the water level, as of a gravity fedsystem, is high or low; for indicating when any of the main controlvalves of the sprinkler system are open or closed; for indicating whenthe power, as of an electrically operated pump, is available or has beeninterrupted; for indicating when room temperatures rise excessively; forindicating the wachmans calls at each of the watch call stations; or forindicating other conditions having to do with a fire prevention system.Accordingly, I shall describe the invention in such situation, but itwill be understood that the fundamental features of the invention canalso be embodied in other systems and situations where like signalingand supervisory functions are to be exercised.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved signalingsystem including improved means for recording the different operationsof the system. More specifically, the recording apparatus makes a recordof each alarm or supervisory indication, designating the particular boxor boxes from which the indication was transmitted, the condition atthat box which gave rise to the indication, and preferably the date andtime of day when the indication was transmitted. Such record ispermanently printed on a sheet, or preferably a continuous paper tape,so that it affords an instantaneous visual indication of the particularbox operating and the condition at that box. Such a record can bereadily checked for past performance of the system, and is also of valuefor building maintenance and supervisory data.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing detail description of a preferred embodiment thereof. In theaccompanying drawings illustrating such embodiment Figures 1, 1A, 1B,and 1C are related parts of a complete circuit diagram of one form of myimproved system. Figures 1 and 1A, when joined end to end, represent theline portion of the system including the signal boxes. Figures 1B and10, when joined end to end, represent the central station circuits andapparatus. The entire system is illustrated complete when Figures 1 and1A, joined end to end, are placed along the left margin of Figures 1Band 1C, joined end to end.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front view of the recording apparatus, themajor portion of the casing being broken away to illustrate certainoperating parts;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the same, with the top part ofthe casing removed;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the planeof the line 4-4 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction indicated bythe arrows;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the planeof the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a somewhat similar view taken on staggered planes betweenthe planes 4-4 and 5--5 of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is an end elevational View of one of the type wheels, shovringthe return spring which restores the wheel to its normal position;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view taken approximately on the plane ofthe line 8--8 of Figure 6, showing the gear mechanism which transmitsmotion from the condition type wheel to the selector switch whichcontrols the energization of the general alarm bells and the summaryindicator; and

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view showing the pawl apparatus whichadvances the roller parts feeding the paper tape.

Referring first to Figures 1,.1A, 1B, and 1C, the main operating unitsof the system consist of a series of signal boxes or transmitters A, B,C, D, E, F, G, etc., and a central station, generally indicated at X,this central station comprising a grouped arrangement of apparatus forperforming several functions, such as recording the impulses transmittedfrom the boxes, transmitting the intermittent current impulses over thecircuits, maintaining the circuits under continuous test, and variousother functions. While Figures 1 and 1A only illustrate ten boxes A, B,C, etc., it will be understood that any number of boxes or transmittersmay be included in the system, depending upon the number of locations oroperating stations from which an alarm or supervisory indication is tobe transmitted. The entire group of boxes is connected in seriesrelation in circuits defined by three conductors P, N, and S. Forfacility of explanation, the conductors P--N may be regarded asconstituting a box operating circuit and the conductor S may be regardedas constituting a signaling circuit. When Figures 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C areplaced in juxtaposition in the manner above described, it will be notedthat these three conductors loop back from both ends of the series ofboxes to the central station X. The explanation of the entire systemwill be most easily understood if we assume the boxes, recorder, summaryindicator, etc., to be operating on direct current with certainconditions of polarity or directions of polarity feed, as this willenable the circuits to be traced through with respect to positive andnegative. However, the same operation occurs when the system isoperating on alternating current, and accordingly, it will be understoodthat where I refer to positive and negative in this description and inthe appended claims, I am not using these terms in a limitative sense,but only for the purpose of difierentiation and to facilitateunderstanding the invention. The system might be operated entirely offan electric lighting or power circuit, but it would then be falliblebecause of the possibility of interruptions in the source of supplytransmitted through the service line, and to avoid this possibility Iprefer to employ a battery 50 (Figure 1B) for performing the primaryduties of operating the signal boxes, recording the signals, etc., thisbattery being floated across any suitable type of charging means. Forillumimating the trouble lights, sounding the trouble bell andperforming various other secondary duties at central station, Ipreferably employ current from an ordinary lighting circuit, representedby the two buses 51 and 52 leading from a conventional 1l0-volt lightingcircuit supplying either alternating or direct current. However, thesame battery 50 or a separate battery might be employed for supplyingcurrent to the trouble bell and lamp power circuit 5l-52.

From the positive pole of the battery 50, positive polarity is conductedthrough the fuse 53 to a positive battery bus designated 3.). From theopposite pole of the battery, negative polarity is conducted throughfuse 5d and is impressed on one terminal of an overload circuit breaker55. This circuit breaker may be of any conventional type designed toprotect the system against destructive short circuits and need not bedescribed in detail. From the other terminal of the circuit breakernegative polarity is transmitted through two branch paths defined by thetwo negative battery buses n and n. The first negative battery bus ncontinues through ammeter 57 and through winding 59 of "full-cyclecontrol relay 58. The second negative battery bus n affords a source ofnegative polarity which does not go through the full-cycle control relay58. Hence, any circuits which are completed through the first negativebattery bus it must have their entire current flow go through thefull-cycle control relay 58, whereas any circuits which are completedthrough the second negative battery bus 71' do not have their currentpass through this relay. The armature 62 of said relay, upon being movedto its fully attracted position, closes a circuit through the twocontact springs 53. A wire 64 connecting with positive battery bus pimpresses positive polarity on one of these contact springs, and anoscillator control bus 85 connects to the other contact spring. Therelay is so adjusted that the relatively small testing currents normallyflowing out over the box operating circuit PN and over the signalcircuit S do not attract the armature 62 to its circuit closingposition. However, should a fault occur in the system, resulting in theaccidental energization of the recorder, as will be later described, asufficiently larger current flows through the relay 58 to attract thearmature 62 to its circuit closing position, thereby impressing positivepolarity through wire 64 and contact springs 53 on the oscillatorcontrol bus 65. This causes energizetion of the oscillator, as will belater described.

A volt-meter 66 is connected between the positive battery bus 12 and thesecond negative battery bus 11, for showing the voltage of the battery.Any suitable low-voltage alarm apparatus may be associated with thebattery 50 for giving an alarm indication if the voltage of the batteryshould drop below a predetermined minimum.

To avoid the presence of confusing cross-connections in the circuitdiagrams of Figures 13 and 10, the positive battery bus p and the firstnegative battery bus 11 have been extended down along the righthand sideof the central station apparatus and have then been looped upwardlyadjacent to the bank of relays at the lefthand side, this being purelyfor clarity of illustration.

The supply of current to power buses 5| and 52 from the 110 volt circuitis indicated by the illumination of a pilot lamp 8!; connected acrossthe two buses. The extinguishing of this lamp indicates that the powersupply to said buses has failed.

A ground test relay 88 may be provided to detect any accidental groundon any of the circuits supplied from the battery 50, this relayoperating to energize the trouble lamp I Ill and the trouble bell busThe operation of such ground test relay is fully disclosed in my PatentNo. 2,164,324 of July 4, 1939.

Referring now to the positive and negative conductors P and N of the boxoperating circuit, the positive conductor P can be regarded as startingfrom a central station terminal designated PL, the latter signifyingpositive line. A wire II I conducts positive polarity from the positivebattery bus 11 to the terminal PL. From here the positive polarity isfed through conductor P in a direction extending down through boxes A,B, C, D, etc., in the order named, and is thence conducted back to aterminal at central station which is designated PR, signifying positivereturn." It will be observed that this corresponds to a counterclockwisedirection in which the positive polarity is fed down through the seriesof boxes, or is fed through the loop of the box operating conductor P.The non-interfering characteristics of the boxes or transmitters can bebest described and understood by referring to the manner in which thepolarities themselves are fed to the boxes, aside from the actualdirection of current flow, and accordingly I shall hereinafter refer tothe order or manner in which the polarities are fed to the boxes in thebox operating circuit P and N. For clarity, I shall also refer tofeeding the positive polarity downwardly through the boxes (in adirection from box A to box B, etc.) and shall refer to feeding thenegative polarity upwardly through the boxes (from box J to box 1, etc.)but it will be understood that these directional terms only havereference to the diagrams and not to any particular direction that thecircuits may take in an actual installation. The negative conductor Nmay be regarded as starting from the central station terminal NL,signifying negative line." Negative polarity is supplied to thisterminal from the first negative battery bus n through the followingconnections: from battery bus n through wire H3 to one of the terminalsH5, N5 of the mercury tube H6 constituting the switch element of theoscillator IM; from the other terminal H5 of this mercury tubethroughwire I2I to one terminal of an overload circuit breaker I22 of anyconventional type designed to protect the box operating circuit againstdestructive short circuits; and from the other terminal of this circuitbreaker through wire I23 leading to the negative line terminal NL. Fromhere the negative polarity is fed through conductor N in a directionextending up through the series of boxes J, I, H, G, etc., in the ordernamed and is thence conducted back to the central station terminal NR,signifying negative turn. It will be observed that such corresponds inthe diagram to a clockwise direction of impressed negative polarity onthe series of boxes or on the loop of box operating conductor N.

The positive return terminal PR is connected through wire I24 to one endof the winding of a positive line test relay I25. A Wire I26 extendsfrom the other terminal of the relay winding for connection with thewire I23 which, as before described, has negative polarity impressedthereon from first negative battery bus 11. through oscillator H4 andoverload circuit breaker I22. Under normal, non-signaling conditions theconductor P constitutes a continuous loop, and, hence, it will be seenthat a small testing current will normally flow through wire I I I outover the conductor P in a downward direction through the series of boxesand back through the winding of positive line test relay I25 and thencethrough conductors I23, I2I and H3 back to first negative battery bus12. The negative return terminal NR is connected through wire I21 withone end of the winding of a negative line test relay I28. The other endof this relay winding is connected through wire I29 with the wire IIIwhich connects in turn with the positive battery bus p. Under normalnon-signaling conditions, the negative conductor N is also a continuousloop and, hence, under these conditions a small testing current will bepassed continuously through this loop, the negative polarity thereofbeing fed through wires H3, I2I and I23 to terminal NL, thence throughconductor N in a direction extending upwardly through the series ofboxes and back to negative return terminal NR, and thence through wireI21, winding of negative line test relay I28, wire I29, and wire IIIback to positive battery bus 11. Inasmuch as the negative polarity forthe box operating circuit is drawn from the first negative battery busn, it follows that all current supplied to the box operating conductorsP and N necessarily flows through the winding of the full-cycle controlrelay 58. As previously remarked, said relay is so adjusted that therelatively small testing currents flowing through conductors P and N donot attract the armature 62 to circuit closing position, but faults onthe system causing the accidental energization of the recorder willcause a greater current flow to pass through the winding of the relay,resulting in the armature 62 thereof moving to circuit closing position,as will be hereinafter described.

The positive line test relay I25 and the negative line test relay I28are substantial duplicates, each comprising three pairs of contactsprings r, b and Z, respectively. These three pairs of contact springsare maintained in open circuit condition so long as the relay isenergized. Each pair of contacts 1' controls the impressing of positivepolarity on the oscillator control bus 65, one contact of each pairbeing connected with positive battery bus 1) and the other contact beingconnected with oscillator control bus 55. Each pair of contacts Zcontrols the illumination of a trouble lamp which is individual to thatrelay. For example, one contact Z of positive line test relay 125 isconnected to the feeder or bus 5I of the lamp and trouble bell circuitSI, 52, and the other contact I is connected to trouble lamp I3I, theother terminal of said trouble lamp being connected to the other feederor bus 52. The same is true of the negative line test relay I28, its twocontacts I controlling a similar circuit for a trouble lamp I32 which isindividual to this relay. The third pair of bell controlling contacts bof each relay controls the energization of the trouble bell bus 5|,which extends down for connection with the trouble bell I02, aspreviously described. The closing of the contacts b of either relay I25or I28 impresses the polarity of bus 5I on the trouble bell bus SI andcauses the trouble bell to ring. It will thus be seen that any break inthe continuity of either looped conductor P or N will perform threefunctions simultaneously through the deenergization of its respectiveline test relay, to-wit: first, it will impress positive batterypolarity through contacts r on the oscillator control bus 65; second, itwill light the individual trouble lamp I3I or I 32, depending upon whichrelay has been deenergized; and, third, it will apply the polarity ofpower supply bus 5I to the 75 trouble bell bus 5| for sounding thetrouble bell I02. Thus, both box operating conductors P and N are undercontinuous test for any accidental break in the continuity thereof. Aswill be hereinafter described, the operation of any one of the signalboxes A, B, C, etc., also interrupts the returns of these two conductorsback to their respective line test relays I25 and I28 and thusdeenergizes both of said relays, causing both to perform the same threefunctions enumerated above. At this time, the energization of theoscillator I I4 through oscillator control bus 65 starts thetransmission of intermittent impulses from that device.

Referring particularly to this oscillator or pulsator, such devicefunctions, when pulsating, to transmit current pulsations to thesignaling box then operating and to the recorder; and also to thesummary indicator, and to the general alarm bells, depending whatclasses of signals are being transmitted. This oscillator or pulsatorsynchronizes the different operations of all apparatus which is broughtinto operation during a signaling cycle. As previously stated, thisoscillator creates current pulsations or variations by the oscillatingmotion of the mercury tube H6. This is the preferred arrangementalthough it will be understood that other arrangements of switchingcontacts may be employed, or other types of devices may be employed forproducing current impulses or producing undulating or alternatingcurrents. For example, an alternator may be employed for producingalternating currents, such alternator being of suffieiently lowfrequency that the signaling boxes, recorder,-bells, etc., can keep instep with it. As illustrative of still another arrangement using theoscillator H4, a shunt of relatively high resistance may be connectedbetween the tube terminals II5, I so that in the oscillation of thetube, current undulations are produced but there is never a completeinterruption of the current flow. Referring again to the arrangementillustrated, since the mercury tube H5 is interposed in series in thenegative supply to the two box operating circuit conductors P and N, itfollows that when said oscillator is operating it is creating currentimpulses which are effective at the signaling box over both conductors Pand N. Normally, the mercury tube H6 is in its closed circuit positionwhereby the continuous testing currents are transmitted over bothconductors P and N through the mercury immersion of the two terminalsH5, H5. The oscillator comprises a winding or windings II'I adapted,when energized, to attract an armature I I8. This armature ismechanically arranged to tilt the mercury tube I2 to open circuitposition when the windings I H are energized. A wire I I9 extends fromthe mercury tube terminal 5' to one end of the winding III, supplyingnegative polarity to this end of the winding. The other end of saidwinding is connected through wire I 28 with the oscillator control bus65. As previously described, the full energization of the full-cyclecontrol relay 58, or the deenergization of either of the positive ornegative line test relays I and I28 places positive battery potential onthe oscillator control bus 65 and thus completes a circuit for theoscillator winding II! of suhicient current carrying capacity to causeattractive movement of the armature H8. With each upward move ment ofthe armature and consequent tilting of the mercury tube to open circuitposition the oscillator interrupts the supply of negative polarity toitsown winding Ill through wire II9,.and

with each retractive movement of said armature the circuit through saidwinding is again completed. Hence, so long as positive battery potentialis impressed on oscillator control bus 55, the oscillator will continueto operate for transmitting or creating current impulses or currentvariations effective at the signaling transmitter, the recorder, thesummary indicator, etc. The transmission of these negative polarityimpulses to the recorder, summary indicator, etc., occurs throughnegative oscillator bus or feeder I which extends down from wire IZI.

The oscillator is maintained under continuous test by an oscillator testrelay I36, the general function of which is disclosed in my abovementioned patent.

An appropriate condenser I4I may be connected in shunt across themercury tube terminals H5, H5 for reducing arcing at these terminals.Three surge arresters I42, I43 and IM are connected in series relation,with this series relation placed in shunt across the mercury tubeterminals II 5, HE. A mid-point tap between surge arresters I42 and I43is connected through wire I45 with positive battery bus 10; and amid-point tap between surge arresters I43 and I 44 is connected throughwire I 46 with ground at I 41.

Referring now to the signal loop S which extends in series through theseveral signal boxes A, B, C, etc., one end of this signal conductor isconnected to central station terminal SI, and the other end of saidconductor after looping down through the series of boxes is connected tocentral station terminal S2. A continuous current normally flows throughthis signaling loop. Referring to the lefthand side of Figure 13,positive polarity is transmitted from positive battery bus n throughwire I49 to the winding or windings I5I of the transfer relay orselecting switch I50. Thus, this righthand end of said relay windingalways has positive battery polarity impressed thereon. Under normal,non-signaling conditions negative battery polarity is conducted to theother end of said relay winding through the signaling loop S. Thisnegative polarity is transmitted from the first negative battery bus n,through wire IBI to a current protecting resistance I62, and from theother end of this resistance a wire I63 extends to the central stationterminal S2. The current path is continued from this terminal throughthe signaling loop S extending in series through all of the signalingboxes and looping back to the other central station terminal SI. Fromhere a wire I64 extends to the lefthand end of the wind-, ing I5I oftransfer relay I50. The resistance I62 passes just enough currentthrough the signaling loop to maintain this transfer relay windingcontinuously energized during non-signaling intervals for holding themovable switching elements of said relay attracted to the full linepositions shown. The signaling loop S is maintained continuous at alltimes, there being no interruption in the continuity of this loop duringthe signaling operations of any of the boxes. The signaling operationsperformed by the boxes will be described in detail later but it may beremarked here that such are performed by making and breaking across-connection at the signaling box from box operating circuitconductor P to the signaling loop S, i. e., intermittently applyingimpulses of positive battery polarity to the signaling loop, theseimpulses being in the codeof the signal transmitted by that box. Undernormal conditions when no signal box is operating, there is no crossconnection established between the conductor P and the signaling loop S.However, as soon as one of the boxes starts operating, thiscross-connection is intermittently established by the operating box forintermittently impressing in coded sequence the positive polarity ofconductor P on the lefthand end of transfer relay winding II through thesignaling loop. Each such positive impulse on the loop deenergizes saidwinding I51. This is because of the presence of the high resistance I52in the negative connection to the loop, which means that the negativepolarity applied to the loop will be at a lower potential than thepositive polarity established through the cross connection at thesignaling box. With each interruption of this cross connection thewinding I5I is again energized. Thus, the switching elements of thetransfer relay are actuated with the making and breaking of this crossconnection at the signaling box, whereby the impulses transmitted fromthe oscillator H4 down through negative oscillator bus I35 are directedeither to the step-up coils or to the selector coils of the recorder. aswill be presently described.

The continuity of the signaling loop S is maintained under continuoustest by a signal circuit test relay I66, which is operable to energizethe trouble lamp I69 and trouble bell bus 5|, the general operation ofthis relay being disclosed in my above patent.

Referring now more particularly to the transfer relay I50, the armatureof said relay actuates two movable switch elements I53 and I54 whichcontrol circuits through three pairs of stationary switch contacts I55,I56 and I 51. The negative impulses transmitted from oscillator II4 downthrough bus I35 are conducted to the step-up and selector coils of therecorder through wires I15 and I16. The relay contacts I55 areinterposed in wire I15 and the relay contacts I58 are interposed in wireI16. In the normal energized position of the relay armature shown, thecircuit down through wire I15 and contacts I55 to the step-up coils isopen, and the circuit down through wire I16 and relay contacts I56 tothe selector coils is closed. In this condition of the transfer relaythe negative impulses transmitted down from the oscillator II4 aretransferred or directed towards the selector coils of the recorder. Whenthe winding I5I of the transfer relay is deenergized. a transferring orselecting func tion is performed by the action of the switch element I53moving back to the right into engagement with contacts I55, and theaction of the switch element I54 moving back out of engagement with theswitch contacts I56 and into engagement with the back contacts I51.During this condition of the relay, the negative impulses transmitteddown from oscillator H4 are transferred or directed through wire I15 andcontacts I55 to the step-up coils of the recorder. The third pair ofrelay contacts I51 are interposed in a wire I11 which leads frompositive battery bus 17 to one end of the winding of the alarm bellrelay 515 which controls the sounding of the general alarm bells 58I,58I. When the transfer relay I 50 is energized, the switching elementI54 thereof is in a forward position, out of engagement with thecontacts I51, at which time no positive battery potential is transmittedover wire I11 to the winding of the alarm bell relay. As above remarked,when the transfer relay is deenergized, the switching element I54 closesthe circuit through contacts I51, thereby transmitting positive batterypotential through wire I11 to said alarm bell relay. The alarm bellrelay is also controlled by the recorder, and a detail description ofthat relay will be made following the description of the recorder andsummary indicator.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that the current foroperating the signal boxes or transmitters A, B, C, etc., is conductedto the boxes over conductors P and N; that positive polarity is fed overconductor P in a downward direction through the series of boxes; thatnegative polarity is fed over conductor N in an upward direction throughthe series of boxes; and that as soon as any signaling box in the seriesinterrupts the continuity of the return portions of these conductors theoscillator H4 is caused to operate for transmitting intermittentimpulses over the line portions of these conductors. With reference tothe signaling functions, it will be seen that under normal conditionsthe transfer relay I50 is energized, but that it is deenergized eachtime that a signaling box places the positive potential of conductor Pon the signaling loop, and that it remains deenergized so long as thatpositive potential is retained on the loop. It will also be seen thatthis energization and deenergization of said transfer relay, ascontrolled by the signaling box, determines whether the impulses fromthe oscillator transmitted down to the recorder over wires I15 and I16shall be directed to the step-up coils which advance the printingwheels, or shall be directed towards the selecting coils which select insequence the printing wheels which are to be advanced.

The transmitters in each of the signal boxes A, B, C, etc., arefundamentally of the same general construction and mode of operation asthe transmitters disclosed in my prior Patents Nos. 2,036,330 and2,164,324, differing from these prior transmitters only in certainimproved details of construction and operation. Accordingly, it is notdeemed necessary to describe the present transmitters in all detail,since reference may be made to these prior patents for an understandingof the general construction and mode of operation of these electricallydriven transmitters. Briefly described, they comprise an advancing coilor coils 209 which are adapted to actuate an armature 2I4 carrying anadvancing pawl 226 which imparts step-by-step advancing movement to therotor of the transmitter, this advancing movement occurring on thespring retracted movement of the armature after the deenergization ofthe coil 209. A secondary armature which is also responsive to the coil209 is arranged to actuate contact 243 out of engagement with contact242 immediately upon energization of the coil. The secondary armature isof small inertia and has a lead of operation over the main armature 2I4.The coil is successively energized by the current impulses transmittedover the box operating circuit P, N from the oscillator II4. As therotor is advanced with a stepby-step rotation, it performs numerousswitching functions in a certain sequence or timed relation, and inorder to facilitate the understanding of these switching operations thedifferent sets of contact mechanisms or assemblies are arranged ingroups in the circuit diagram of Figures 1 and 1A. Six of these contactmechanisms are enclosed in circles, each collectively designated 211,212, 213, 21 4, 215' and 216, the circles indicating that the movable orrotor contacts of each particular group advance directly with theadvancing motion of the rotor, as indicated by the directional arrows.The ratchet wheel of the rotor functions as a common conducting elementfor a plurality .of the contacts carried by the rotor, and this commonconducting function of the ratchet wheel is schematically represented inthe circuit .diagram by the horizontal conductor designated 228$. Thevertical conductorsextending down therefrom to the centers of thecircles signify that the movable or rotor .contacts .of that mechanismhave common elec trical connection with the ratchet wheel.

Contact mechanism 2' comprises two diametrically opposite contacts 21mand 21|b moving with the rotor and adapted to engage with a stationarilymounted spring pressed contact 21 l c. The timed relation in thiscontact mechanism is such that one of the movable contacts engages thestationary contact at a-point one step short of the completion, of eachround or half-revolution of the rotor.

The function of this contact mechanism is to place a shunt across thesecondary armature contacts 242 and 243 at a point one step short of thecompletion of the round or signaling cycle of the rotor so that theoperating box will transmit positive polarity down through conductor Pto succeeding boxes lower in the series to allow a subsequentlyenergized box in this direction in the series to take the circuit.

Contact mechanism 212 serves to interrupt the transmission of negativepolarity up through conductor N to other boxes located above theoperating box in the series. This contact mechanism comprises twodiametrically opposite moving contacts 212a and 212b, and twostationarily mounted spring pressed contacts 212:: and 212d. The firstone-step advancement of I the rotor shifts the efi'ective contactsegment out from un der the spring pressed contact 212d, therebyinterrupting the transmission of negative polarity up to other boxesfurther up in the series. When the operating box completes it round orsignaling cycle, the opposite contact segment moves under the two springpressed contacts and reestablishes the continuity of the negativeconductor N up to the other boxes. The timed relation is such that thefirst step of advancement opens the negative circuit and the last stepof advancement closes the negative circuit.

Contact mechanism 213 is concerned with supplying positive polarity tothe positive terminal of the transmitter coil 289. Said contactmechanism comprises, in effect, two semi-circular conducting areas 213aand 21321 on the ratch et wheel, separated by the two relatively narrowinsulating areas 2130. The spring pressed contact 213d is stationarilymounted at a point where the conducting areas 213a, 2131) and theinsulating areas 21% pass under it. In the normal position of the rotor,this spring pressed contact bears on one of the insulating areas, but inthe first step advancement of the rotor one of the conducting areas ismoved under it. Said contact is connected with common wire leading fromthe energizing switch of the device to which the particular transmitteris to respond, the conductors c, t and o of box A typically representingthe circuit connections with such an energizing switch, The contactmechanism 213 insures that once the box has started to signal itssignaling cycle, as initiated by this energizing switch, it willcontinue operating through one round or cycle for completing the signal,even though the energizing switch is not effective to transmit positivepolarity to common wire 0 beyond the first step of the cycle.

Contact mechanism 214 comprises a single moving contact 214a havingconnection with the ratchet wheel, this moving contact being adapted toengage alternatively with two diametrically opposite spring pressedcontacts 21% and 2140 which are stationarily mounted in the transmitterWhere the box is to respond to a three-wire control. as illustrated bybox A, the contact 2141) has trouble wire it extending thercfrom, andcontact 2140 has trouble-corrected wire 0 extending therefrom. In thenormal position of the rotor, the movable contact 214a is under one orthe other of the two spring pressed contacts. If the box is to respondonly to a twowire control, the wires t and o are multiplied or connectedtogether and extended to the energizing switch as a single wire.

The two groups of contact mechanisms 215 and 216 have to do with theapplication of signaling impulses to the signal conductor S. When thetransmitter is to transmit a single type or class of signal, such aswatchmans supervisory signals, or emergency fire alarm signals, only theprimary signal contact mechanism 215 is utilized. When the transmitteris to have multi-signaling duties for transmitting different types orclasses of signals, such as both watchmans supervisory signals andemergency fire alarm signals, the secondary signal contact mechanism 216is also used in conjunction with the primary signal contact mechanism.The primary signal contact mechanism 215 comprises a series of contactsor conducting areas 215a, 2151), etc., carried by the rotor andreceiving positive polarity from the box operating conductor P overconnection 2283:. As the rotor revolves, said contacts successively moveinto engagement with a single spring pressed contact 215h which ismounted in the ransmitter and which is connected directly with thesignaling loop S.

The secondary signal contact mechanism 216 comprises one or twosignaling contacts 215a. and 216cc, disposed on the rotor at a difierentradius than the primary signaling contacts 215a, 215cc, etc., andreceiving positive polarity from the ratchet wheel through the commonconnection 2283:. Cooperating therewith is a single spring pressedcontact 2160 mounted in the transmitter frame. When this secondarysignal contact mechanism is employed in a two-cycle transmitter thereare two of these rotor contacts 216a and 215cc located at diametricallyopposite points of the rotor; whereas, if this secondary contactmechanism is employed in a single-cycle transmitter, only one of theserotor contacts is provided. In each instance, the secondary contact 216aor 21Baa has a lead of operation of one step over the correspondingfirst contact 215a or 215m; of the primary signal contact mechanism.Hence, it will be seen that whenever the secondary signal contact isrendered operative in a transmitter, its effect is that of lengtheningthe condition contact 215a or 215cc one step in a forward direction. Thecontrol switch mechanism which governs the operation of that particulartransmitter determines whether or not the stationary contact 2150 isconnected with the signaling loop S, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1and 1A.

In some transmitters, a different cyclical operation may be establishedthrough the switch mechanism 211 comprising the contact springs 211a,Zllb and 2110. The opening and closing of circuits through these contactsprings is effected by the cam wheel 262 which is adapted to be advancedby the rotor of the transmitter, and which has varying relations of longand short arms adapted to actuate the contact spring 211a.

Recorder The improved recorder employed in the system herein disclosedis similar in many respects to the construction of recorder disclosed inmy;

aforementioned prior Patent No. 2,164,324, and attention is directed tothat disclosure for some of the more detailed construction. Referring tothe improved construction illustrated in present Figures 2 to 9,inclusive, it will be seen that this unit comprises a base casting 308within which are housed the printing platen, the printing coils foractuating the same, the printing ribbon and its reels, etc. Hinged tothe open top of this base casting is a cover 309, on the top of which issecured a housing 3 enclosing the printing wheels, step-up and selectorcoils, etc., and also secured to this cover is a housing 312 enclosingthe time stamp apparatus. Referring to the step-up and selector coilsand the printing wheels within the housing 3| I, it will be observedfrom Figures 3 and 5, that the step-up coils 3|3 consist of two coilsdisposed side by side and secured to the back wall of the housing. Theselector or sequence coils 3M also consist of two coils disposed side byside above the step-up coils 313. Responding to the step-up coils is anarmature 3l5 which extends across the core ends of both coils and ispivotally supported at 3"; in the side walls of the housing. Thearmature comprises a forwardly extending plate portion 3| 5' havingverticalnotches in its front edge, in which notch es four advancingpawls 3H, 3|8, (H9 and 320 are pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 32!.Referring to Figure 3, the pawl 3|! operates the condition wheel 322;the pawl 3|8 operates the hundreds numeral wheel 323; the pawl 3|9operates the tens numeral wheel 324; and the pawl 32') operates theunits numeral wheel 325. All of these type wheels are coaxially mountedon a common shaft 326 and each type wheel carries a ratchet wheel 321adapted to be engaged by its individual step-up pawl 3l'|-320.

The armature (H5 is normally held in its raised position with all fourpawls clear of their respective ratchet wheels through the action of twotension springs 323 which have adjustable connection at their upper endswith a stationary cross bar 33l disposed above the armature. The upperlimit of movement of the armature is determined by a stop screw 333having adjustable threaded mounting in the cross bar 33L Secured to thefront portion of the armature plate 3l5' is a plate 334 having adown-turned front edge which is adapted to swing down into peripheralnotches 335 formed between the type blocks on the printing wheels. Thismember 334 is adapted to move into one of these notches on the advancingtype wheel just at the completion of the down stroke of the advancingpawl, whereby to prevent overthrow of the advancing wheel. Eachadvancing pawl is formed with two arms, one extending rearwardly and oneextending upwardly, i. e., the pawl 3H has an upwardly extending arm 3Hand a rearwardly extending arm 3H"; the pawl 3I8 has an upwardlyextending arm 3l8 and a rearwardly extending arm 3I8", etc. These armsextend through slots in the plate portion 3| 5 of the armature andthrough slots in the detent plate 334; and connected to each rearwardlyextending arm 3", 3K8", etc., of each pawl is a tension spring 331having fixed attachment at its rear end to the plate portion MS of thearmature, each of these springs normally tending to swing the lower noseof its associated pawl forwardly into a position to engage the ratchetteeth 321 of its respective type wheel. Whether the pawl is allowed toengage the teeth on its downstroke is determined by the angular positionin a transverse shaft 338 which is arranged to coact with the upwardlyextending arms or fingers SH, 318, 3l9, etc., of each advancing pawl.Immediately in rear of each upper pawl finger this shaft 338 is notchedout on opposite sides, thereby forming diametrically opposite wingportions 339 which control the operativeness of the pawl. When thesewing portions extend in substantially vertical parallelism with the rearedge of the pawl finger 3ll', 318', etc., the lower nose portion of thepawl is allowed to assume an operative position with respect to its ownratchet wheel, but when the shaft 338 is rotated slightly to swing oneof the wing portions 339 forwardly against the pawl finger 3H, 3l8,etc., the pawl is oscillated against the tension of the spring 331 to aposition where it is incapable of engaging its ratchet wheel on thedownward stroke of the armature. As successive angular movements areimparted to the shaft 338 in this same direction, the pawl will still beheld at its inoperative angle with respect to the armature plate 3I5until the shaft 338 has been advanced through a half revolution, whichagain brings the wing portions 339 parallel with the pawl finger,allowing the pawl to resume an operative position with respect to thearmature. The wing portions 339 cooperating with the pawl for thecondition wheel 322 are at a slightly different angle than the wingportions cooperating with the pawl associated with the hundreds wheel,and this ap-- plies to the wing portions associated with the otherpawls. In the preferred construction the condition wheel 322 is set upfirst and the numeral wheels are set up in sequence thereafter, and insuch arrangement the condition wheel pawl 3|l is normally in operativeposition at the start of the cycle and the other pawls are ininoperative positions at this time. Should it be desired to have thecondition wheel set up last or in any other sequence with respect to theother type wheels, the pawls will be given a different timed relation byappropriately changing the relative angles between the wing portions339. Assuming, as before stated, that the condition wheel is the one tobe set up first, after this wheel has completed its advancement throughthe number of steps determined by the particular transmitter which isthen signaling, the shaft 338 is caused to rotate in a counterclockwisedirection through the actuation of the selector armature and itsassociated parts, to be later described. This angular motion of theshaft 338 renders the condition wheel pawl 3|! inoperative and rendersthe hundreds wheel pawl 3l8 operative. Thereupon, the step-up armature315 is again actuated one or more times to impart step-by-stepadvancement to the hundreds wheel, assuming that the signal from thetransmitter then operating is coded for the advancement of the hundredswheel. Following this, the shaft 333 is again advanced in the samedirection as before, at which time the hundreds wheel pawl is renderedinoperative and the tens wheel pawl is rendered operative. This sameprocedure follows in transferring impulses to the units wheel 325. Itwill thus be seen that the shaft 336 functions as a selector elementwhich, by its angular position, determines which pawl is operative andthe order in which these pawls are made operative. Motion is imparted tothis shaft upon the energization of the selector coils 3M throughmechanism hereinafter referred to.

Cooperating with the ratchets 32'? of the four type wheels are foursimilar checks or holding pawls 34! which are pivotally mounted at 342in slots formed in a transverse mounting bar or block 343. The nose ofeach holding pawl is adapted to swing down into the ratchet teeth of itsassociated type wheel to hold the type wheel after each step-by-stepadvancement. A tail 344 on each holding pawl bears against the top of acompression spring 345 (Figure 5) seated in a cylindrical pocket in themounting block 343, this spring normally tending to swing the nose ofthe pawl down into the ratchet teeth. At the conclusion of a printingoperation all four holding pawls are simultaneously swung up toreleasing position out of the ratchet teeth through the oscillation of atransverse shaft 346, which is journaled in the block 343. Milled insaid shaft are fiat faces 347 which cooperate with shoulders 348 on theholding pawls. When these flat faces are substantially parallel with theshoulders 348, the pawls are permitted to swing down into the teeth oftheir respective ratchets under the action of the springs 345, but whenthe shaft 346 is rotated counterclockwise to bring rounded portions ofthe shaft against the shoulders 346, all four pawls are swung upwardlyto releasing positions. When this occurs at the end of a printingoperation, such type wheels as have been advanced are immediatelyrestored to their original positions by the action of spiral springs 35lassociated with each type wheel. Referring to Figure7, one of thesesprings is enclosed within a drum or spring housing 352 at the end ofeach type wheel, the inner end of the spring being secured to the shaft326 and the outer end being secured to the housing. The springs all tendto rotate the advanced type wheels in a clockwise direction back totheir original positions, which original positions are determined byradially projecting shoulders 353 on the spring housings striking stopfingers 355 which extend from a cross bar 355 .down into the paths ofthese shoulders.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a vertical partition plate 356 is disposedimmediately to the left of the series of type wheels, and arranged inthe space between this partition plate and the lefthand wall of thehousing are certain operating mechanisms and contact devices which Ishall now describe. Referring to Figure 6, a pivot stud 351 anchored tothis partition plate 356 has rockably mounted thereon a tripping pawl358 which is adapted to release the shaft 346 which allows the holdingpawls 34! to engage the ratchets 321. A laterally bent end 359 on thistripping pawl 358 projects backwardly through a hole 36l in thepartition plate into a position lying in the path of the armature plateportion 3I5 so that when the step-up coils 3l3 are first energized atthe beginning of a'recording cycle, the initial downward movement of thearmature'plate portion 315' strikes this tail projection 359 andoscillates the tripping pawl 358. The other end of said pawl is formedwith a hook 362 which is adapted to engage with a shoulder 363 formed ina notched hub or collar 364 secured to the shaft 346. A tension spring361 normally holds the hook end of said pawl in engagement with theshoulder 363. The rocking movement of the tripping pawl 368, consequentupon the first energiza- 1 tion of the step-up coils, swings the hook362 out of engagement with the shoulder 363. Upon this release of thenotched collar 354, a tension spring 365 operatively connected to saidcollar, quickly oscillates the collar and shaft in the clockwise '1direction for turning the fiat faces 34? into registry with theshoulders 348 to permit the holding pawls 34l to swing down intooperative engagement with their respective ratchet wheels 321. Thecollar 364 is provided with an arm 366 ex-tafi tending down into thebase casting 368 where it is arranged to be restored in acounterclockwise direction (as viewed in Figure 4) through the actuationof mechanism which is responsive to the return movement of the printingplaten gl This operation, occurring after the completion of therecording cycle, oscillates the shaft 346 in a counterclockwisedirection for swinging all of the holding pawls 34l up to their releasedposition and locking them in these positions, as will ap-, ,\;3 pearfrom the later description of the printing platen, etc.

Summarizing the recorder mechanism described thus far, the firstactuation of the stepup armature 3l5 operates through the advancingpawl3H to advance the condition wheel 322 one step; this wheel is retainedin that position by its individual holding pawl 34 l all of whichholding pawls have been dropped to operative position in the downstrokeof the armature plate portion 3l5 before the operative advancing pawl3|! starts to move back in its retractive movement and before the spring35| can start to rotate this condition wheel backwardly. Thus, bothoperations of advancing the condition wheel and trip ping the holdingpawls to hold this and the other" wheels, occur on the first currentimpulse transmitted to the step-up coils 313. Thereafter, eachsucceeding one step advancement imparted to the type wheels is retainedby the holding pawls 34l,, ;,o

released positions and locking them in these po n;

sitions, until the next oscillation of thestep-up armature 3 l 5 at thebeginning of another recording operation, whereupon the pawl or lever358 is again tripped and all of the holding pawls are again allowed toswing down to their operative position, as previously described.

Referring now to the mechanism by which the energization of the selectorcoils 3|4 imparts advancing movement to the selector shaft 338, it .willbe observed from Figures 5 and 6 that the 7 magnet cores of these twocoils attract an armature 31! which is pivotally mounted at its upperedge at 312. A pin 373 projects laterally from the lower edge of thearmature and extends out through an opening 314 in the partition plate-5 356. Here this pin is pivotally connected to a link 315 which ispivotally connected at 316 to the upper arm of a lever 311. Said leveris pivotally supported on a stud 318 projecting outwardly from the sideof the partition plate 356, and also mounted on this stud, but rotatableindependent- 137 of the lever 311, is a ratchet wheel 319 and a spurgear 38! which are both joined together or integral for concurrentmovement. Pivotally mounted at 382 on the upper arm of the lever is apawl 383, having a hook-shaped nose adapted to impart clockwiseadvancement to the ratchet wheel 319 when the lever 311 is oscillatedclockwise. A coiled spring 384 connected between the lever 311 and theforwardly extending arm of the pawl 383 functions to hold the hook endof the pawl in engagement with the ratchet teeth. A relatively heavytension spring 385 is connected between the lower arm of the lever 311and a fixed point of attachment on the housing structure, such springtending to oscillate the lever in a clockwise direction. A detent pawl386, pivotally mounted at 381 and having a tension spring 388 connectedthereto, is arranged to engage in the teeth of the ratchet wheel 319 toprevent retrograde movement of the latter in the oscillation of thelever 311. The spur gear 38! meshes with a spur pinion 389 which issecured to the selector shaft 338, the pinion being one-half thediameter of the spur gear 38!.

It will be evident that when the selector coils 3!4 are energized, themovement of the armature 31! will operate through the link 315 tooscillate the lever 311 and pawl 383 in a counterclockwise direction,the pawl merely slipping idly over the next ratchet tooth in thismovement occurring during the energization, of the selector coils. Whenthe selector coils are deenergized, however, the spring 385 quicklyoscillates the lever-311 in a clockwise direction and in such movementthe pawl 383 advances the ratchet wheel; 319 and spur gear 38! through adistance equal to one ratchet tooth. Any suitable stop means may beprovided for determining both limits of throw of the lever 311 so thatsuch movement always results in a one tooth advancement of the ratchetwheel. In the construction illustrated, a stop function is performed byhaving the forwardly extending tail end of the pawl 383 engage astationary stud or shoulder 390 carried by the housing. As the spur gear38! is advanced in a clockwise direction, the selector shaft 338 isadvanced in a counterclockwise direction, this shaft making one completerevolution for each half revolution of the spur gear 38!. The shaft 338is; advanced through only one-half revolution during each recordingcycle, it being evident that a half revolution again places the wingportions 330 of said shaft in their same general relation to theupwardly extending fingers 3i1', 3l8, etc., of the several advancingpawls.

Mounted on the end of the selector shaft 338 are the rotating contactelements of three rotary switches 40!, 402 and 403. Cooperating withthese rotating contact elements are pairs of spring contacts 4am, 402aand 403a which bear against the rotary members at diametrically oppositesides thereof. The rotating contacts are mounted in a hub or cylinder404 composed of insulating material and secured fast to the shaft 338.The switch mechanisms 40! and 402 each have a. metallic pin or rod 40!b,40% extending diametrically through the insulating hub 404, the ends ofthese conducting pins or rods being exposed at the peripheral surface ofthe drum for establishing cross connection between their associatedcontact springs 40!a 40!a and 402a 402a once in each half revolution ofthe rotary switches. The rotary switch 403 comprises a metallicconducting member 4031) of approximately H-shape with relatively longarcuate conducting areas and with relatively narrow recesses atdiametrically opposite points, as best shown in Figure 6. Thisconducting member is recessed into the end of the insulating hub 404 andis secured thereto by screws 405. Portions of insulating material 4030extending into the diametrically opposite recesses of the conductingelement 403b establish insulating areas on the periphery f the rotaryswitch for opening the circuit between the contact springs 40311. In thenormal condition of the recorder, the transverse conducting pins 40!b,40% of the two switches 40! and 402 both occupy positions one step inadvance of their circuit closing positions; and at this time theinsulating segments 403e, 4030 are disposed directly under the springcontacts 403a, 4030. in circuit opening position. A complete recordingcycle rotates the three switches through 180", bringing the conductingpins and the insulating segments back into the positions illustrated,except that the pins and segments are turned end for end, or reversed.The lower ends of the three sets of contact springs are secured to aninsulating block 406, and from these contact springs wires extend to theselector coils, the printing coils, the alarm bell relay, etc., as willbe later described.

Contact mechanism 4!! is also associated with the tripping shaft 346which trips the holding pawls 34! into and out of operative positions.This mechanism comprises two spaced contact springs 4! la, 4! la whichextend forwardly above the shaft 348. A contact collar 4! lb is adaptedto oscillate with the motion of said shaft into and out of circuitclosing position between the contact springs 4!!a. This contact collar4|!b is secured to an insulating post 4!2 which extends upwardly from acollar 4!3 secured to the shaft 346. The rear ends of the spaced contactsprings 4! !a are secured to an insulating mounting block 4!4. In thenormal condition of the recorder the conducting collar 4! lb lies inopen circuit position out of engagement with the contact springs 4! !a,but as soon as the tripping pawl 358 is actuated on the initialenergization of the step-up coils 3!3 the resulting tripping movement ofthe shaft 346 swings the conducting collar 4! lb forwardly into aposition where it completes a circuit between the two contact springs4!!a., 4!!a. This contact mechanism 4!! controls the supply of positivebattery polarity to the selector coils 3!4, as will be later described.

Responsive to the motion of the condition wheel 322 is a selector switchmechanism 4l6 which controls the energization of the alarm bell relayand which also determines whether the summary indicator is to beactuated and whether an adding or subtracting operation is to beperformed at the summary indicator. This selector switch comprises arotating switch arm 4 8' which is adapted to engage successively withstationary switch contacts 4I8a, 4l6b, 4!Gc, etc., arranged circularlyin an insulating disc or mounting member 4!1. Referring to Figure 8, therotating switch arm 4|B' comprises a contact spring which has one endsecured by screws or rivets M8 to a mounting disc 4!!] composed ofinsulating material. This mounting disc and the rotating switch arm areadvanced in direct step with the successive advancing movements impartedto the condition wheel 322 through suitable gear mechanism comprising alarge spur gear 422 (Figure secured directly to the adjacent end of thecondition wheel and meshing with a pinion 423. This pinion is secured toa short countershaft 424 which is journaled in the partition wall 356.The other end of said countershaft carries a similar spur pinion 425which meshes with a corresponding spur gear 426 secured to the mountingdisc 4!9. Said mounting disc M9 and gear 426 are rotatably mounted onany appropriate pivot support, such as on the end of the pivot stud 361which carries the tripping pawl 358. A circuit connection is establishedwith the switch arm 4|6' through a spring contact 421 which bearsagainst the switch arm at its center of rotation. There are preferablyas many of the circularly arranged contacts 4!6a, 4!6b, etc., as thereare printing faces on the condition type wheel 322. The face of thecondition wheel which is normally in printing position is preferably ablank face, and the normal position of the switch arm 4I6',corresponding to thisposition of the condition wheel, is preferably ablank position, in that the switch arm is not then engaging anystationary contact which is electrically effective. As the conditionwheel is advanced for presenting the first type face and then succeedingtype faces to printing position, the switch arm M6 is correspondinglyadvanced to engage with the first effective contact 4!6a and then withsucceeding contacts M61), M60, etc. The circuit connections between thelatter contacts and the alarm bell relay and summary indicator will belater described.

Referring now to the printing coils, platen, and other mechanism withinthe base casting 368, it will be seen from Figure 2 that the front ofthis casting is formed with a relatively wide central compartment 434 inthe approximate center thereof, down through which travels the papertape 435 (Figures 4 and 9) upon which the records are printed. The sidesof this central compartment are defined by vertical partition walls 436,436, only the lefthand one of which appears in Figure 2. Defined betweenthese partition walls and the outer side walls 431 of the base castingare right and lefthand compartments 438, 438, the Iefthand one of whichappears in Figure 2. Vertically disposed in this lefthand compartmentare the two printing coils 44! which attract an armature 442 extendingacross the tops of the coils. As best shown in Figure 4, it is the rearend of this armature that swings down towards the coils, the armaturebeing mounted on a pivot shaft 443 which is located forwardly of thecore ends of the coils and which shaft is carried by suitable trunnionssupported by the side walls of the compartment 438. The armature isformed with an arm 442 extending forwardly of the pivot axis 443 forconnection with a tension spring 446 which is suitably anchored at itslower end to the base casting, this spring normally tending to swing thearmature upwardly away from the core ends of the printing coils.Projecting laterally inwardly from the swinging end of the armature is apin 441 which projects into the central compartment 434 through avertical slot 448 (Figure 4) in the upper portion of the partition wall436. The end of this pin has reception in a hole in a motiontransmitting lever 449, which hole is enlarged laterally to accommodateslight sidewise movement of the pin therein. The rear end of the motiontransmitting lever 449 is pivotally mounted on a stud 45! projectinginwardly from the partition wall 436. The front end of said lever has along slot 452 therein, in which operates a pin 453 carried by one arm ofa bell crank lever 454, the latter lever comprising a downwardlyextending arm 454' adapted to carry one end of the printing platen. Thisbell crank lever is freely oscillatable on a shaft 455 on which aremounted the paper feeding rolls 456 and 451. The ends of the shaft 455are journaled in the partition walls 436 at opposite sides of thecentral compartment 434. At the right side of the central compartment434 is an arm 458 (see Figure 9) which is similar to the lower arm 454'of the bell crank lever 454, and which is also freely oscillatable onthe shaft 455. Extending between the extremities of these arms is a tierod 459 and extending between the middle portions of said arms is achannel-shaped platen supporting bar 46! in which the rubber platenblock 462 is mounted. From the description thus far, it will be seenthat the downstroke of the armature 442 upon the energization of theprinting coils 44! will oscillate the mlotion transmitting lever 449downwardly, which in turn will swing the two arms 454 and 458 in anupward direction, carrying the platen 462 up into printing position.This printing position is defined by an inked ribbon 463 which extendstransversely across the upper portion of the base casting directly belowthe printing faces of the type wheels. The paper tape 435 extends fromthe supply roll 435' across the tops of the feeding rolls 456, 451 andacross the top of the platen 462 so that in the upward movement of theplaten this paper tape is swung up against the bottom of the inkedribbon 463, through which it receives its printed impressions from thetype wheels. The upward movement of the arms 454, 458 does not rotatethe shaft 455, but the downward movement, after a printing operation, isarranged to advance this shaft for turning the feeding rolls therequired distance for advancing the paper tape. Referring to Figure 9,the arm 458 carries a spring pressed pawl 465 which engages and rotatesa ratchet wheel 466 when the arm swings downwardly, this ratchet wheelbeing secured to the shaft 455. A suitable spring pressed detent pawl461 prevents reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel when the platenswings upwardly. The forward rotation of said shaft rotates the feedingrolls 456, 451 and advances the paper tape the required distance for itsnext printing impression, the central roll '451 consisting either of arubber wheel or a knurled steel wheel which presses firmly against thepaper tape, reacting against a small roller 469 rotatably supported on ashaft 41! (Figure 4) which is secured to the hinged cover 309.

The mechanism for actuating the restoring arm 366 and thereby restoringthe holding pawls 34! to normal position and restoring the contactmechanism 4!! to open circuit condition, comprises a rock shaft 413(Figures 2 and 4) which is journaled in the walls 436 and 431 of thelefthand compartment 438. The inner end of this shaft projects beyondthe wall 436 into the central compartment 434, and secured to this endof said shaft is a lever 414 (Figure 2). Also secured to this shaft,within the end compartment 438, is a lever 411 comprising upper andlower arms 411a and 411i). Attached to the lower arm of said latterlever is a tension spring 48!, which ment past the end of the arm 414.

has its lower end suitably attached to the base structure. The spring48| exerts a constant biasing action on the shaft, tending to hold theupper arm 411a. of the lever 411 upright, and tending to hold the otherlever 414 in a substantially horizontal position, see Figure 4. Therestoring arm 366 extends down from the tripping shaft 346 into the basecasting to a position immediately in front of the upper lever arm 411a,whereby when this latter lever arm is rocked forwardly it engages andforces the restoring arm 366 forwardly for releasing the holding pawlsand for swinging the movable contact 4Ilb of the contact mechanism 4Hback into its normal, open circuit position. The lever arm 414 has abeveled end 414' with which a stud 459' on the bell crank lever arm 454'cooperates. As shown in Figure 2, this stud may consist of a reduced endof the tie rod 459, protruding beyond the bell crank lever. On theupward movement of the platen the stud 459' engages the lower edge ofthe arm 414 and starts to swing the latter upwardly, but because of theeccentricity between the centers of the shafts 455 and 413, this studsoon slips past the beveled end 414 and continues its upward movementabove the lever arm 414. On the downswing of the platen the stud 450engages the upper-side of the lever 414 and swings the latter downwardlyto approximately the dotted line position indicated at :c in Figure 4,at which point the arc of the beveled tip 414' swings inside of the arcof the stud 459 so-that the stud is allowed to continue its move-Instantly, the lever '414 is restored to its normal position under thebiasing action of the spring 48l. In such downward swinging movement,however, the lever 414 also rocks the upper arm 411a of the lever41l-in'ia'. forward direction, and this movement operates to thrust therestoring arm 366 from the dotted line position to'the full lineposition shown in Figure 4, thereby releasing the type wheels andrestoring the contact mechanism 4| l to open circult condition, all atthe completion of the printing operation when the platen is swingingdownwardly to its normal position.

As the paper tape travels downwardly from its printing position, it isfed into a lower box which is normally locked against unauthorizedaccess, in' order to preventany attempt to alter the records on thetape. A glass cover may be arranged to close the front of the centralcompartment 434, if desired, Mounted at any suitable point within .oradjacent to the central compartment 434 is a lamp 485 (Figure 2) whichis adapted to illuminate the paper tape. Said lamp is automaticallylighted at the start of any signaling cycle and remains lighted untilthe system is reset to normal, the energization of said lamp being underthe control of the reset relay which will be later described.

The electrically operated time stamp 3|2 is of any conventional typecomprising printing time wheels which are advanced periodically, such aseach minute, from electrical impulses transmitted froma master clock; orthrough the instrumentality of a synchronous motor connected with thepower supply circuit 5|, 52 in installations where this circuit receivesalternating current of regulated frequency. These time wheels print onthe paper tape, alongside the condition and numeral wheels, the day,month and year and time of day when each signal is received andrecorded. Included in or associated with the recorder are numerous othermechanisms which are fully 'disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,164,324,and to which attention is directed for the details there- 01. Suchmechanisms include improved means for supporting the paper supply roll435 whereby a new roll may be readily substituted for a depleted roll;improved mechanism responsive to the amount of paper on the supply rollfor giving a lower paper indication when a new roll should besubstituted; improved mechanism for feeding the inked ribbon 463 fromone reel to the other and for intermittently reversing the drive tothese reels; and improved circuit opening means for opening the mainbattery circuit and opening the various circuits leading to theinstrumentalities of the recorder as soon as the hinged cover 309 isswung back in the act of gaining access to the base casting for changingthe paper supply rolls, inked ribbon reels, etc., the opening of saidcircuits preventing the operation of the system so long as the recorderis incapable of performing a recording operation. The arrangement ispreferably such that the opening of the hinged cover 309 first requiresthe release of the key controlled look, so that unauthorized personscannot interrupt the normal operation of the system.

The summary indicator (Figure 1C) which responds to the selector switchmechanism 6, comprises a numbered disk (not shown) which is rotated stepby step in a forward or additive direction by successive energizationsof the add coil 5|1, and which is rotated step by step in a rearward orsubtractive direction by successive energizations of the subtract coil5|8. The successive numbers in this disk are illuminated by the bulb 509as they are presented to view in a sight window of the summaryindicator. A cam 54! which rotates with the numbered disk operatesthrough accam follower lever 542 to control the contact apparatus 545,541, and 548. The arrangement is such that when the disk is in itsnormal position with the 0 thereof exposed in the sight window, thefollower lever 542 is engaging in the notch in the cam 54!, with theresult that the contacts 54B-541 are engaged, thereby energizing a bulb553 which gives a green or OK indication in the summary indicator. Assoon as the indicating disk is advanced one or more steps from its zeroposition, the lever 542 is forced out of the recess in the cam, andthereafter rides on the circular periphery of the cam, the resultingrocking motion of the lever pressing the intermediate contact spring 546downwardly out of engagement with the upper contact spring 541 and intoengagement with the lower contact spring 548. Such deenergizes the bulb553, and energizes another bulb 554 which gives a red or troubleindication in the summary indicator. The latter relation of the lever542 and of the contact springs will be maintained as long as any numeralon the disk appears at the sight window, but when the indicating disk isrestored to its 0 position, the lever will be restored to its normalposition, at which time the intermediate contact spring will move out ofengagement with the lower contact spring 548 and into engagement withthe upper contact spring 541, thereby extinguishing the red bulb 554 andilluminating the green bulb 553. It will thus be seen that the summaryindicator gives an instantaneous visual indication of the supervisorycondition of the system. For example, as supervisory signals aretransmitted to central station for indicating different conditions whichmay be actual or potential sources of trouble, such as the manualclosing of a critical control valve, the loss of adequate pressure onthe water supply system, etc., these trouble conditions areautomatically totalized on the summary indicator. As the engineer orother attendants proceed with the correction of these conditions atdifferent points in the plant, the number of conditions areautomatically subtracted from the totalized indication of the summaryindicator. Thus, the summary indicator gives an instantaneous visualindication as to whether or not any trouble condition exists in theinstallation, and the total number of such trouble conditions which havenot been attended to. In this manner, the summary indicator checks thehuman element in the observation of the trouble conditions recorded atthe recorder. For instance,'if the recorder indicates that five troubleconditions have developed at different points in the installation, andthe attendants correct only four of these, overlooking the fifth troublecondition, the summary indicator will still indicate that one troublecondition remains which has not received attention.

Referring now to Figures 13 and 1C, and particularly to the circuitconnections between the transfer relay I50, the recorder, the summaryindicator, and the alarm bell relay, it will be recalled that negativeimpulses are transmitted from the oscillator II4 through bus I35 andwire I15 to the step-up coils 3I3 of the recorder whenever the transferrelay I50 is deenergized during a signaling operation, suchdeenergization causing the movable switch element I53 to engage with theswitch contacts I55 and complete the circuit through wire I15. Theopposite terminal of the step-up coils 3I3 has positive polaritycontinuously impressed thereupon through wire 56I which leads from thepositive battery bus p to these coils, whereby said coils will beenergized each time that they receive a negative impulse down throughwire I75. During the normal, non-signaling condition of the system, theseiector coils 3I4 do not have positive polarity impressed thereon. Abranch wire 56l' extends from the wire 56I to the selector coils, butinterposed in this wire is the contact mechanism M I, which contactmechanism is responsive to the position of the tripping shaft 346 in therecorder, as previously described. As soon as the step-up coils 3I3 havebeen energized once in the start of a signaling cycle, the consequentactuation of the tripping pawl 358 and release of the tripping shaft 346causes the contact mechanism 4H to move to closed circuit position,after which positive polarity is transmitted to the selector coilsthrough wire 55I' and contact mechanism 4H during the remainder of thesignaling cycle, or until the actuation of the printing platen hascaused the tripping shaft 346 to be restored to its normal position andthe contact mechanism 4 restored to open circuit position. So long asthe selector coils receive positive polarity through contact mechanism4, they will be energized each time that a negative impulse istransmitted from oscillator II4 down through wire I16 and contactmechanism I54, I 56 to the other terminal of the coils. Thus, during thesignaling cycle, each time that a negative impulse is transmitted downfrom the oscillator during any interval that the transfer relay I50 isenergized, holding the movable switch element I54 in engagement with theswitch contacts I56, this negative impulse, or impulses will energizethe selector coils. At a point one step short of the completion of therecording cycle, the selector coils will also be energized through therotary switch contact mechanism 40I. This contact mechanism isinterposed in a wire 562 which extends from the negative oscillator busI35 to the negative terminal of the selector coils. As previouslydescribed, the rotary contact mechanism 40I arrives in closed circuitpositon at a point one step short of the completion of the recordingcycle and, hence, at this time the selector coils will be energizedirrespective of whether the transfer relay I50 is energized ordeenergized. Such final energization of the selector coils restores theselector mechanism to its original condition, which also restores thethree rotary switches-40 I, 402 and 403 to their original open circuitpositions.

At the same time that the rotary switch 40I is transmitting the finalnegative impulse of the cycle to the selector coils 3I4, the secondrotary switch 402 is transmitting positive battery potential to thepositive terminal of the printing coils MI. The latter switch isinterposed in a wire 564 extending from the positive battery bus go tothe printing coils. A wire 565 connects the other terminal of said coilsto the negative oscillator bus I 35. As previously described, theadvancing motion of the three rotary switches MI, 402 and 403 occursupon the deenergization of the selector coils, and when the two switches40I and 402 arrive in their closed circuit positions (one step short ofthe completion of the recorder cycle), the next negative impulsetransmitted from the oscillator II4 down through bus I35 simultaneouslyenergizes the selector coils 3I4 and the printing coils 44I, the lattercausing the printing operation. The subsequent deenergization of theselector coils 3| 4, at the end of the negative impulse transmitted downfrom the oscillator, advances the three rotary switches one more step totheir normal or open circuit positions, and at this time the controllingswitch 4 for the positive polarity and of the selector coils is alsorestored to its open circuit condition.

Referring now to the rotary switch 403 and the selector switch 4I6,attention is. first particularly directed to the fact that the printingcoils 44I are wound for a relatively heavy current flow, the relationbetween these coils and the associated printing mechanism being suchthat a relatively large current fiow is required through the coils toeffect the printing operation. Hence, during all of the early steps ofthe recording cycle, relatively small currents can be conducted throughthese printing coils to the selector switch 4I6 without causingactuation of the printing mechanism. Such small currents are conductedfrom what would be regarded as the positive terminal of these coilsthrough wire 42'! and contact clip 42'! to the rotating switch arm MB ofthe selector switch. That is to say, during all of the steps of therecording cycle, except at the time that the printing coils are fullyenergized for a printing operation, the impulses transmitted from theoscillator I I4 down through negative oscillator bus I35 are conductedthrough wire 565, printing coils MI and wire 421 and clip 42'! to theswitch arm 4I6, these impulses being conveniently regarded as ofnegative po tential. However, at that time when the rotary switch 402arrives in closed circuit position and transmits positive polaritythrough wire 564 to the positive terminal of the printing coils thispositive potential is also transmitted through wire 42'! and clip 42! tothe selector switch arm 4I6. Referring first to the manner in which

